"In a brief statement, the Bureau of Immigration and Customs Enforcement -- an arm of Homeland Security -- said the air interdiction center was motivated by safety concerns. "From all indications, this request . . . [from Texas was related to] a missing, lost or possibly crashed aircraft," the statement said. But at least three officials involved in the May 12 search said safety issues were not raised by the air interdiction center, which has no safety-related responsibilities.

"There was never any inference that the plane might be down, or something like that," said Marvin Miller, an airport official in Plainview, Tex. -- near Laney's home -- who said he was contacted by an "air interdiction" official on the evening of May 12. "There was never any safety concern, or indication that it was missing or overdue," Miller said. "The guy said at the end, 'This is just somebody looking for politicians they can't find.' "

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
A Must-Read Speech"..there have been too few examples of viewpoints, other than those consistent with the Administration's, breaking through to the public."What can we do about it? Act!

Congresswoman Jan Schakowsky (D-Illinois) made the following speech at the
Campaign for America's Future conference in Washington DC on June 4, 2003:

"Do you want a different President in 2004? I'm asking this as a serious question, not a rhetorical one. Do you want it badly enough to actually do what is necessary to win the election that will take place just 17 months from now?......."

"At the same time that the U.S. has promised to foster democracy in Iraq, it seems to have forgotten some basic principles of capitalism.

One is free competition, which serves both to lower prices and improve product quality and variety.
Another is free trade - which increases competition by drawing in suppliers all over the world.
A third is transparency - which is important whether the government is in the role of buyer or that of seller. Transparency requires publishing full information about the government's proposed deal, and freedom of access to the process to become its partner in that deal. Without transparency and free competition, cronyism and bribery proliferate.
These principles are elementary. They are essential to remember today because the Iraqi reconstruction project may be the world's biggest since the Marshall Plan that helped rebuild post-war Europe. Yet the U.S. has ignored these basic tenets - awarding huge contracts for rebuilding Iraq in secrecy, exclusively to U.S. companies, and almost without competition.
The lack of competition harms the U.S.'s claim to be Iraq's liberator. Rather than championing justice, the U.S. appears to be engaged in the colonial enterprise of propping up domestic industry through foreign engagements."

"You've got to have a clear vision. That's what a leader does. A leader also understands that the United States must be strong to keep the peace. Saddam Hussein still is a threat in the Middle East. Our coalition against Saddam is unraveling. Sanctions are loosened. The man who may be developing weapons of mass destruction... we don't know.... because inspectors aren't in. "

A: 10-17-2000. Presidential debate.

And guess what?
We STILL don't know anything...
except for the fact that Bush was hot for a preemptive action against
Iraq.. even before he was selected.

"Bush stoked America's post-9/11 fears to build support for war. He was abetted by Pentagon hawks, who put the darkest spin on inconclusive evidence that the Central Intelligence Agency treated with caution.""....this is a mess. It casts a shadow over America's credibility. It will make it harder for Washington to rally support in the future. Prudent allies will take what they are told, with more than a grain of salt."

"Nixon claimed that his misuses of the federal agencies for his political purposes were in the interest of national security. The same kind of thinking might lead a President to manipulate and misuse national security agencies or their intelligence to create a phony reason to lead the nation into a politically desirable war. Let us hope that is not the case."

Jude Says..

Followers

About Me

Iddybud is a descendant of American patriots, membership to DAR pending, a descendant of a family member who lost another dubious American Presidential election in 1876, so you might understand why she took Selection 2000 to heart.

desiderata - by max ehrmann
Go placidly amid the noise and haste, and remember what peace there may be in silence.
As far as possible, without surrender, be on good terms with all persons. Speak your truth quietly and clearly; and listen to others, even to the dull and the ignorant, they too have their story. Avoid loud and aggressive persons, they are vexations to the spirit.
If you compare yourself with others, you may become vain and bitter; for always there will be greater and lesser persons than yourself. Enjoy your achievements as well as your plans. Keep interested in your own career, however humble; it is a real possession in the changing fortunes of time.
Exercise caution in your business affairs, for the world is full of trickery. But let this not blind you to what virtue there is; many persons strive for high ideals, and everywhere life is full of heroism. Be yourself. Especially, do not feign affection. Neither be cynical about love, for in the face of all aridity and disenchantment it is perennial as the grass.
Take kindly to the counsel of the years, gracefully surrendering the things of youth. Nurture strength of spirit to shield you in sudden misfortune. But do not distress yourself with imaginings. Many fears are born of fatigue and loneliness.
Beyond a wholesome discipline, be gentle with yourself. You are a child of the universe, no less than the trees and the stars; you have a right to be here. And whether or not it is clear to you, no doubt the universe is unfolding as it should.
Therefore be at peace with God, whatever you conceive Him to be, and whatever your labors and aspirations, in the noisy confusion of life, keep peace in your soul.
With all its sham, drudgery and broken dreams, it is still a beautiful world.
Be cheerful. Strive to be happy.
Max Ehrmann c.1920